The 483rd Bomb Group Archive

Loss record

MACR 13817: 44-6861

840th20 April 1945
Aircraft
44-6861 (B-17G)
Mission
mission 210, 20 April 1945
Target
Fortezza, Italy M/Y
Aboard
10
Record
Missing Air Crew Report
Sources
National Archives Catalog, NAID 91146882 (22 pages) · Association aircraft page

Crew, as read from the report

PositionNameRankSerialStatus
PilotBissinger, Eugene I.O-828651MIA
McGinnis, Donald W.2nd Lt.O-784918MIA
Nations, Manton A.O-2068723MIA
Shead, Lee H.38420520
McDaniel, Willie D. T18169294
Kelly, Francis X.22120057RTD
Bartman, JackCpl.32883370
Farrell, Edrund I.32060737
Filosena, Peter As39083735
BARTHAN, Jugk32683370
JUSTICE, AND AGAIN PLACE12120057

Names and serials are the machine's reading of the typed form; a linked name is the man's record.

Statements, questionnaires and capture reports

Eyewitness statement, page 4 · 20 April 1945
CONFIDENTIAL
840TH BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON (H)
483RD BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H)
Office of the Operations Officer
APO 520
21 April 1945
STATEMENT OF WITNESS
I wes flying Airplane 44-6405 which was :/6 in the formation. After bombs
away and just after closing the bomo docrs Airplane dropped back and
started to loose altitude. I had to drop down and to the side so I could clear
and as I pulled up and to the right there appeared to be gas spraying from the left
wing of ship 861. I noticed a hole in his left wing behind #1 engine and midwing of
about 6 to 8 inches in diameter. There was no fire and the ship was level and
skidding when I last saw it but loosing altitude fast. Gumners observed five (5)
chutes almost immediately and two more soon afterward. The ship was level as they
lost sight of it behind the mountains.
Arward & Schmedt
HOWARD G. SCHMIDT
Ist Lt, AC
Pilot, Ship 44-6405
CONFIDENTIAL
N°.
-
328

National Archives, MACR 13817, page 4 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Eyewitness statement, page 5 · 20 April 1945
CONFIDENTIAL
840TH BOMBAROMENT SQUADRON (H)
483RD bOMBARDMENT GROUP (H)
Office of the Operations Officer
APO 520
21 April 1945
STATEMENT OF WITNESS
Immediately after bombs away at the target at the target this day (20 April
1945) Airplane # 44-6861 received a hole through the left wing near # 2 engine.
Flame flared under 11.1.1 eng no around the supercharger with a persistent gray smoke
trailing. Airplane 1/4 -6861 droppi back bein ap arently out of good control
for a moment. The ship lost consideral le altitude rapidly to the left of the
formation. Crew of Ship 257 in the formation Was alerted and tail gumer
reported ship 861 was turning slight right, and the smoke from #1 engine
turning to black. Tail gunner and bombardier of ship 257 reported seven para-
chutes opened.
Airplane; 44-6861 was last seen flying under control but loosing altitude
over the alps in a northwest direction from the target. Crew on Ship 257 rep-
orted Ship 861 cleared one range of mountains before going out of sight due to
haze and turning of formation.
It was undecided whether the parachutes were drifting toward the valley or
an elevated area.
DamDDlup
DAVID 0. CRUAP
2nd Lt, AC
N:-
2028
CONFIDENTIAL
under 3

National Archives, MACR 13817, page 5 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Eyewitness statement, page 6 · 20 April 1945
CONFIDENTIAL
840TH BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON (H)
483RD BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H)
Office of the Operations Officer
APO 520
21 April 1945
STATEMENT OF WITNESS
While flying as tail gumner on Airplane 1/44-6405 on a combat mission, I
another B--17 (44-6861) come out from under our plane, and it was dropping
back and loosing altitude very fast. This was approximately a minute or two
after "bombs away". Deciding that he was in trouble I started watching him.
After watching for several minutos I called the ball turret gunner and asked him
to
watch the plane because the formatio vas starting to turn to the loft and the
plane in trouble was about to pass under us and out of my vision. The plane was
approximataly ei ht to ton thousand feet below us, and just as the ball gumnor
said that he had found the plane, I Saw a chute open a little distance behind
the plane in distress, and just a second or two later I saw four nore chutes
open out behind the plane. Then it passed on out of my vision- still flying
upright but seeming to be skidding to the right.
howard E. HUNT, Sgt.
Tail Gumner, Ship 405
Howard E. Hunt
N°.-- 2028
CONFIDENTIAS
that 4

National Archives, MACR 13817, page 6 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 9: BARTHAN, Jugk · 20 April 1945
AFPPA-11
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
File # 13817
Name of crew member:
BARTHAN, Jugk
Rank:
Opl.
Serial number:
32683370
Position: Crew (Bomber)
LW
Did he bail out?
YES.
Where?
APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES WEST OF FORTEZZA 7Y ITALY
If not, wby not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane : THE LAST CONTACT
WAS Baih OUT OVER INTERPHONE, No REPLYS, AND RINGING OF ALARM Behh,
Was he injured? NOT WhEN he LEFT PLANE
Where was he when last seen? COMING DOWN in PARACHUTE BY OTHER CARN Member
Any hearsay information: JACK BARTMAN WAS BRUTALLY BEATEN BY ITALIAN
OF
civilians AND Finally SHOT BY ONE OF THEN. The NAME THE TOWN
AND THE MAN who DiD THE SHOOTING CAN BE Found IN THE
STATEMENT oF A 2nd LT. RObERT G. HENRY 02058804 SUBMITTED To
ESCAPE SECTION, OF HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH AiR FORCE, BARI ITAY.
Source:
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition:
NO.
Total number of missions of above crew member: APPROFIMATELY 30
Dates and destinations if possible: UNKNOWN
6-3861, AF

National Archives, MACR 13817, page 9 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 10: EUGENE T.BISSINGER · 20 April 1945
AFPPA-12
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Your name EUGENE T.BISSINGER
Rank ISILT Serial No. 0828651
LEO C. BROOKS
2. Organization A.C. Gp Commander W. BARTON Rank Coh. Sqn CO
Rank MAjOR
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year 1944
month APRIL
day 20
did you go down?
4.
What was the mission, FORTEZZA
, target,
M/YARds.
, target
t ime, 12:00
altitude, scheduled,
, ,route flown
Where were you when you left formation ? IN RALLY OFF TARGET
6. Did you bail out?
No.
7.
Did other members of crew bail out? ALL BUT ONE ( NAVIGATOR
8. Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no
individual questionnaire is attached bailed out. A crew list is attached. Please
give facts. If you don't know, say: "No Knowledge". EIGHT MEMBERS OF CREW
BAILEd OUT THRU side DOOR APPROZIMATELY TEN To TWENTY FIVE MILES
DUE WEST OF FORTELZA, ITALY. ALL PARACHUTES WERE SEEN OPEN
IN A VALLEYOF A MOUNTAIN 50 To:- MILES
9.
Where did your aircraft strike the ground? S.W.BYW. of FORTEZZA ITALY.
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires) NAVIGATOR AND / PiloT
(MYSELF)
11. Where were they in aircraft? PiloTiN PiloT SEAT-NAVIGATOR IN CoPiloT SEAT
NAVIGATOR-DISLOCATEDFINGER RIGHT HAND-CUT OVER LEFT EYE
12.
What was their conditio, BRUISITS AND CUTS OVER FACE PiLoT- - BROKEN LEFT HAND
AND FORFINGER -BRUISA AND CUTS ON LEFT SIDEOF FACE - -BOTh ANKLES SPRAINED
13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above? THEENGINEER WAS HiT or shoulder BY FLAK OVER TARGEL
BUT PARACHATED OUT OF PLANE with REST OF CREW MEMBERS.
I LEARNED LATER THAT HE was GIVEN MEDICAL CARE BYA
GERMAN WOMAN DOSTER THRU PARTISAN ACTIVITIES
14. Please give any similar information or. personnel of any other crew of which you
have knowledge. Indicate source of information.
(Any additional information may be written on the back)
6-3862,AF

National Archives, MACR 13817, page 10 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 11: BARTHAN, Jack · 20 April 1945
AFPPA-11
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
File # 13817
Name of crew member:
BARTHAN, Jack
Rank:
Cpl.
Serial number:
32883370
Position: Crew (Bomber)
LW
Did he bail out?
yes
Where? Between target (near Bressanane) and about 20mi S.W. of Merano,Italy
Italy
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane:
none with Jack before he bailed out
Was he injured? no
Where was he when last seen?
Any hears ay
information: Believed to have parachuted safely
to ground. Taken by Italian civilians as prisoner.
His tate was due to their actions.
Italian
Source : Lt Henry of Texas (ParisTeras) B-24 pilet who spent bor Zmo. with Partisans.
He saw our plane go down.
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition:
Total number of missions of above crew member: Unknown
Dates and destinations if
possible: 20 March 1945 Target was a
railread junction near Bressanane Italy
6-3861, AF

National Archives, MACR 13817, page 11 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 12: Na tions, Manton A · 20 April 1945
AFPPA-12
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
-
1. Your name Na tions, Manton A
Rank 11t Serial No. 02068723
2. Organization 15A.F. Gp Commander
Rank
Sqn CO - Brooks Rank Major
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year 1945
month March day 20 did you go down?
4. What was the mission,
29th
, target, R.R. junction (near Bressenanc) ,
target
t ime, 1140 app.
altitude, unknown now
route scheduled, unknown
at present
, route flown unknown now
5. Where were you when you left formation? Between target and Merano, Italy
6. Did you bail out? no
7. Did other members of crew bail out? all but pilot (LtE.T.Bussinger)
8. Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no
individual questionnaire is attached bailed out. A crew list is attached. Please
give facts. If you don't know, say: "No Knowledge". All members, of crew.
except Pilot bailed out between the target and a poin t
some 20 mi S.W. of Mexano,Italy
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground? thant 20mi S.W.of Merano
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross checi with 8 above and individual questionnaires) Pilot and I
11. Where were
they in aircraft? Pilot 107 pilots seat.
12.
What
was
their condition? Severely bruised on head and legffilet)
13.
When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above? Pilot (ET.Bissinger) and I were put 111 same German
Hospital for medical attentionarcuming there until the war was
over Hospital was in Merano, Italy.
14. Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you
have knowledge. Indicate source of information. T/S Kolbe 5/5 Mountain,
and another 5/5 were in same hospital at Merano. All five atus
rode back to Verona with us. medical captain. its Kolbe remained
at Florence, Italy for further medical attention or hus eyes.
(Any additional information may be written on the back)
6-3862, AF

National Archives, MACR 13817, page 12 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 14: FRANCIS X. KELLY · 20 April 1945
AFTPA-12
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Your name FRANCIS X. KELLY
Rank T/SGT Serial No. 12120057
2.
Organization 483 BM Gp Goommander
BARTON
Rank COL. Sqn CO FOWLER, Azank MAJOR
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year
1945
month APRIL
day
20 did you go down?
4. What was the mission, FORTEZZA ITALY target,
FORTEZZA, ITALY ,
target
time (APPROX) 1145 altitude, 26,000
route scheduled, VIA ADRIATION
YUGOSLAVIA, AUSTRIA, rostu FHOOVER THE BRENNER PASS, LIALY
5. left formation? HIT BY FLAK OVER BOLZANO ITALY
Where were you when you
LEFT FORMATION IMMEDIATELY.
6. Did you bail out?
YES
7. Did. other members of crew bail out? YES, ALL EXCEPT THE NAVIGATOR AND
PILOT BATLED OUT IMMEDIATELY
8. Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no
individual questionnaire is attached bailed out. A crew list is attached. Please
give, facts. know say. "No Knowledge"
COPILOT, 3 GUNNERS, AND MYSELW (RADTOGUNNER) WERE E VADEE S
AFTER
BAILING
OUT.
TOGLEEER,
BATLED
OUT
AND
WAS
TAKEN
PW.
OTHER GUNNER
BAILEDOUT SUCESSEULLY, BUT WAS KILLED BY GERMAN CIVILIANS.
9. Where did your sircraft strike the ground?
NO KNOWLEDGE
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires)
PILOT AND NAVIGAT0B RODE THE SHIP TO THE GROUND
11. Where were they in aircraft? IN PILOTS AND COPILOTS POSITIONS
12.
What was their condition? NAVIGATOR WAS SLIGHTLY INJURE D BY FLAK, PILOT
WAS OK, BUT BOTH WERE INJURE D BY CRASH. (BROKEN ARMS FOR EACH)
13.
When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above? NONE OTHER
14. Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you
have knowledge. Indicate source of information.
NO
(Any additional information may be written on the back)
6--3862, AF

National Archives, MACR 13817, page 14 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 15: BARTHAN, Jack · 20 April 1945
AFPPA- 11
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
File # 1,3817
Name of crew member:
BARTHAN, Jack
Rank:
ople
Serial number:
32883370
Position: Crew (Bomber)
LE
Did he bail out?
YES
Where? ABOUT 10 MILES WEST OF BOLZANO, ITALY
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane
AT THE SIDE DOOR OF THE PLANE WHILE PREPARING TO BAIL OUT
Was he injured?
NO
Where was he when last seen? I NEVER SAW HIM AFTER LEAVING PLANE
Any hearsay information: FROM GERMAN AND ITALIAN NATIVES, I WAS FULLY
INFORMED OF HIS DEATH. HE WAS KILLED BY GERMAN CIVILIANS UPON LANDING.
i CAN GIVE DEFINITE NAMES AND PLACES AND WILL TYPE THEM ON BACK OF THIS
SHEET. THESE PEOPLE CAN GIVE FULL DETAILS. THE RE ARE A FE14 EYE
WI TNESS' IN THE TOWNS I WILL MENTION
Source:
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition:
NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE
Total number of missions of above crew member:
IT WAS HIS 33RD MISSION
Dates and destinations if possible: THE 483RD BM GP, 840TH BM SQ HAS THE
MISSION RECORDS OF ALL ITS MEMBERS
6-3861, AF

National Archives, MACR 13817, page 15 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 17: BARTMAN, Jack · 20 April 1945
AFPPA-11
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
File # 13817
Name of crew member:
BARTMAN, Jack
Rank:
Cpl.
Serial number:
32883370
Position: Crew (Bomber)
LW
Did he bail out? Yes
Where? Bolzaro area, near pondo.
If not, why not' ?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: 1saw him
when \ bailed out. He was staNdine by thewawfoutHaist.
Was he injured? No
Where was he when last seen? WI in His aHout ntheair
Any hearsay information: The information Givenbelow was toldto m c <by
several I talian civilians. a full acountofthe insident wasGiver
by me and others of thecrew to am inteliGent officerat Bolzano and
15th A.A.F.F.G. IM Italy
Source :
Any explanation of his fate based in part wholly supposition: He was Killed
or on
by German civilians Acivilian by the name of Wisse shot him,
after being badly beaten by them.
Total number of missions of above crew member: IdonotKnow
Dates and destinations if possible: Iwasnotoreeular Member of the
crew I was fling with that day.
3/2gl. Marvi Grattalall
39146621 AHF.
Enlisted Reserve Corpe.
6-3861, AF

National Archives, MACR 13817, page 17 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 18: Marver L. Mattatall · 20 April 1945
AFPPA-12
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Your name Marver L. Mattatall
Rank s/sat Serial No. 39146621
2. Organization 483BA Gp Commander &.K Tayloo Rank Colonelsan CO Leofouler Rank
Capt.
(full
(full name)
3. What year 1945
month Apirl
day 19
did you go down?
4. What was the mission, Fortezzas Italy , target, Marshalling yards ,
target
time, 11:45
, altitude, 26000
route scheduled,
, route flown
5. Where were you when you left formation? No.2, Ship.; HISH Box.
6. Did you bail out? yes
7. Did other members of crew bail out? yes
8. Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no
individual questionnaire is attached bailed out. A crew list is attached. Please
give facts. If you don't know, say: "No Knowledge". No Knowledge
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground? 20 Nules From fordo taly
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires) 1st. P.1. ot And Ninerator.
11. Where were they in aircraft? central cabn.
12. What was their condition? No Knowledge
13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above? at 15AR.E H.D.Q. EtiGeneo, waist Gurner, Radeo open
Goodcondition.
14. Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you
have knowledge. Indicate source of information.
(Any additional information may be written on the back)
6-3862, AF

National Archives, MACR 13817, page 18 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Eyewitness statement, page 19: BARTMAN, Jack · 20 April 1945
AFPPA-11
INDIVIDUAL CASUAITY QUESTIONNAIRE
File # 13817
Name of crew member:
BARTMAN, Jack
Rank:
Cpl.
Serial number:
32883370
Position: Crew (Bomber) 290 Ebtebt
LW
Did he bail out?
Yes
Where?
Near Marona Italy
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane oxiger
Check was made and he reported D.K.
Was he injured?
No
Where was he when last seen? Leaving the plane
Any hearsay information
That he was Captured and
best to death by civilian personell ]
Source:
Escapee Crew members
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition: I Saw in
the prison CAMP Where I was held a few of
his personal belokins and dog tags. There WAS
a)so a report stating that he was Killed While
Resisting Arrest. There was also a Map Showing his bural
Total number of missions of above crew member: Not KNO WN
Plaz
Dates and destinations if possible:
6-3861,AF

National Archives, MACR 13817, page 19 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 20: Lee Hugh Shead · 20 April 1945
AFPPA-12
r
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Your name
Lee Hugh Shead
Rank s/spt. Serial No. 38420520
2. Organization 483 Gp Commander Barton Rank of Sqn CO Fowler Rank capt.
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year 1945
month Apr)
day 20 did you go down?
4. What was the mission,
33rd ,
target,
Fartezza Itar! target
time, 11:50
,altitude, 26000
route scheduled,
, route flown
5. Where were you when you
left formation? Rallering off target
6. Did you bail out? Yes
7. Did other members of crew bail out? Yes
8. Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no
individual questionnaire is attached bailed out. A crew list is attached. Please
give facts. If you don't know, say: "No Knowledge". No knowledge
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground?
Do Not KNOW
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires) Navigator of
Pilot
11. were
Where they in aircraft? IN pilots Com partment
12. What was their condition? Pilot O.K. Navigator shot in Nech
13.
When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above?
14. Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you
have knowledge. Indicate source of information.
(Any additional information may be written on the back)
6-3862, AF

National Archives, MACR 13817, page 20 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 21: BARTHAN, Jack · 20 April 1945
- AFPPA-11
\DIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
File # 13817
Name of crew member:
BARTHAN, Jack
Rank:
Opl.
Serial number:
32883370
Position: Crew (Bomber)
EN
Did he bail out? Yes
Where? 10miles North of Bolzano Italy
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane Crew
members Talking before Loss of plane
Was he injured?
No
Where was he when last seen?
siges
ON The Ground IN Solibia ITaly
Any hearsay information:
Was beaten with club and
Later shot Through Back of bedd
By German Civilians
Source: : By people who Took care of The Crew.
Any
explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition: ONly
Because he was of Jewish NaTionality
Total number of missions of above crew member: 33
Dates
and destinations if possible: April 20,1945
Target 10 miles North OFBolzzas ITalz
6-3861, AF

National Archives, MACR 13817, page 21 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

Casualty questionnaire, page 22: McDaniel Willie D · 20 April 1945
AFPPA-12
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
1.
Your name McDaniel Willie D Rank T/sgI Serial No. 18169294
2. Organization 483 R Commander BarTon Rank Col. San CO Leo Brookstank Major
(full name)
(full name)
3.
What year 1945 month April day 20 did you go down?
4. What was the mission, Bombing , target, Raillards
, target
time, 1145
altitude, 28,000
route scheduled,
,
route flown
5.
Where were you when you left formation ? 2minutes off Target
6. Did you bail out?
7.
Did other members of crew you bail out? All buT Two
Pilot & Navigator 8 others Bailed ouT
8. Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no
individual questionnaire is ottached bailed out. A crew list is attached. Please
give facts. If you don't know, say: "No Knowledge". Seven
member 5 Beiled OUT when The First
word To bandon ship 3persons were
Raptured By GermoN Soldiers
9.
Where did your aircraft strike the ground? 10miles from Sw, Tzerland
Border
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires) Pilot - Bissinger
Navigator Nations
11. Where wers they in eircraft? IN Pilots of Collots SeaTs
12. What was their condition? Serious CoNdition
13. When, where, and in what condition aid you last see any members not already des-
cribed above? No one was wounded buT myself
IN left S hou der, Rig ti arm Right Cheek
14. Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you
have knowledge. source of information
IN The same TOWN as I who were shot
Indicate ISaw Two persons
downin December 0 701944 They we - e
Never Captured and returned To Their Base
may 10, 1945
(Any additional information may be written on the back)
6-3862, AF

National Archives, MACR 13817, page 22 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.

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